[mattoak]

I'm about to replace my rear subframe, differential, trailing arm, and control arm bushings on my 2006 E90 325 with 180k miles.

I don't mind buying a tool set to make this job easier, but I see that ECS tuning has 5 options, listed below. Will any one of these accomplish all the bushings I'm trying to replace, or do I need to suck it up and make / buy a second? I assume the Schwaben should be purchased for the subframe and diff bushings, but then that leaves the RTAB and LCAB. Also considering the UCAB if one of the tools for the other two also does those?

Anyone have any knowledge of these?

Schwaben Subframe & Differential Bushing Tool Set
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../024979sch01a/
Says it does subframe and diff bushings, but what about the trailing and control arms?

Trailing Arm Bushing Tool Set
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800101~bat/
I assume it does the trailing arm bushings...?

Trailing Arm Inner Bushing Tool - Master Set
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800137~bav/
Why does this say Inner...does it ONLY do the inner TABs? That seems silly if it doesn't do them both, but that's what the tool below is for right?

Trailing Arm Bushing Tool - Bavarian Autosport
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800047~bav/
I assume this does the trailing arm bushings, but how is it different than the other kit that is more than twice the price?

Heavy Duty Control Arm Bushing Remover / Installer
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800078~bav/
I assume this is only for lower control arms...

[TriumphTim]

I bought and used this set below recently to replace everything except the diff bushing and subframe bushings on my 2008 328ix. It did all the various suspension bushings inner and outer.

I don't have experience with replacing the diff or subframe bushings but I *think* this set could be rigged up to do them with a trip to the hardware store/easy fab work for less than another expensive set.

Hope this helps...


Tool - Trailing Arm Inner Bushing Tool - Master Set - Bavarian Autosport
Makes installing trailing arm bushing installation much easier.
Mfg Part #
B8800137

[PourBoi-Jay]

^^This one will work best for the RTAB and Inner Lower CA Bushing.

I bought this eBay tool for the subframe bushing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E82-E90....m46890.l49292

[mattoak]

I ended up buying the Schwaben tool from ECS, and this bushing tool from eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Differentia...53.m1438.l2649

Which was actually this item: FreeTec Silent Bearing Puller Kit Dent Puller Set Compatible for BMW
Drop shipped directly from Amazon. At least I paid less on ebay than what its listed on amazon for!

The ebay tool set just arrived today. Waiting on parts from FCP/ECS, but I will report back (maybe in a new thread) how they work out. For $65, I figured I'd take a gamble and hope it makes my life $65 worth less frustrating.

[chazzz]

Originally Posted by mattoak

I ended up buying the Schwaben tool from ECS, and this bushing tool from eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Differentia...53.m1438.l2649

Which was actually this item: FreeTec Silent Bearing Puller Kit Dent Puller Set Compatible for BMW
Drop shipped directly from Amazon. At least I paid less on ebay than what its listed on amazon for!

The ebay tool set just arrived today. Waiting on parts from FCP/ECS, but I will report back (maybe in a new thread) how they work out. For $65, I figured I'd take a gamble and hope it makes my life $65 worth less frustrating.

Did the $65 tool work for you? Would love to hear this from you. I am going to work on my son's E90 rear bushings. I didn't want to spend $200 for Bavarian Trailing Arm Bushing tool- for a ONE TIME use. I don't mind $65... so please let me know. Thanks.

[335xi_full_throttle]

Originally Posted by chazzz

Did the $65 tool work for you? Would love to hear this from you. I am going to work on my son's E90 rear bushings. I didn't want to spend $200 for Bavarian Trailing Arm Bushing tool- for a ONE TIME use. I don't mind $65... so please let me know. Thanks.

I found that the tool used in this thread worked perfectly for the subframe bushings.


best? and cheapest? M3 subframe bushing DIY tool https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976683

[mweisdorfer]

You can make your own tools with black pipe, grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers

You just need to know the diameters of pipe you need. Once you take the subframe out of the car, you can measure out what you need.

[olympiad04]

Hey,

I'm about to change out the inner and outer bushings. How did the tool from ebay work? I'm debating whether to order the one from ECS or try the ebay/amazon route.

Originally Posted by mattoak

I ended up buying the Schwaben tool from ECS, and this bushing tool from eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Differentia...53.m1438.l2649

Which was actually this item: FreeTec Silent Bearing Puller Kit Dent Puller Set Compatible for BMW
Drop shipped directly from Amazon. At least I paid less on ebay than what its listed on amazon for!

The ebay tool set just arrived today. Waiting on parts from FCP/ECS, but I will report back (maybe in a new thread) how they work out. For $65, I figured I'd take a gamble and hope it makes my life $65 worth less frustrating.

[ironduke2010]

also interested. at some point soon (hopefully) after i clean things up enough to hit the inner and outer RTAB's, i will try the make-your-own method that mweisdorfer suggests. my local hardware store has a huge selection of grade 8 bolt and washer sizes, and i have some thrust bearings from amazon. if i can find the right sized pipe(s)/sockets/hole saw/whatever, i feel like i should be able to get something to work (again, hopefully).

i am only semi dropping the subframe (for subframe bushing inserts), so i might gain a little room, but obviously not as much as if i fully removed the subframe. if i hear the amazon kit works (by having the right cup sizes) then i might just get it to try.

[mattoak]

In my experience, fully dropping the subframe (rear or front) saves more headaches than trying to get more room. I never would have gotten the bushings out if I didn’t fully remove it from the car. Honestly don’t know how people manage to use the tool by only dropping it. Those things are in there TIGHT, and it takes some leverage and moving around, etc. to get them out.

The specific tool for the main subframe bushings worked awesome, but it’s only useful for the large, main subframe bushings. That’s all it was made for, but worth the money to change them. You really have to wrench on the nut and I was worried I was going to break it, but it did hold and got things out. Lube will help a lot.

The bushing kit I bought worked to remove everything else, however you’ll have to get creative on reinstalling the RTAB and/or the rear lower control arm bushing. I forget which, but one was a huge PITA and the other was tough, but not as bad. Maybe I just had the method down by that time. When you start pressing them in, the outer sleeve that is slotted wants to open up on the far end that is supposed to be pressed into the hole, making it nearly impossible to press in. I used the hose clamp method. Putting heavy duty hose clamps around it, as many as I could fit, and wrenching them as tight as possible to keep the open end together and prevent it from spreading as I slowly pressed the bushing. Once I got it in a few millimeters, I would take the nearest clamp off and keep slowly working. Eventually got them all in, but it was a headache. My recommendation would be to buy the heaviest duty, most robust clamps you can find ahead of time. Don't just use the regular hardware store ones. It will make your life way easier!